Psychopathology

Question 1

Give an example of how someone might deviate from social norms

Answer 1

Dressing and acting as a cat in public

Question 2

What is one critique of the deviation from social norms definition in identifying abnormal behaviour?

Answer 2

What’s considered ‘normal’ may vary depending on different cultural, societal and individual differences

Question 3

How does cultural relativism impact the concept of abnormality based on deviation from social norms?

Answer 3

Since norms can vary across different cultures, what’s considered abnormal in one culture may be completely normal in another

Question 4

Define abnormality according to the failure to function adequately criterion.

Answer 4

A person’s behaviour is abnormal if it prevents them from functioning effectively in their daily life

Question 5

Name one way failure to function adequately is a marker of abnormal behaviour.

Answer 5

Struggle to hold down a job, maintain relationships, basic tasks to take care of themselves ect.

Question 6

What is a potential weakness of using the failure to function adequately definition in diagnosing abnormality?

Answer 6

Overlooks individuals who are functioning adequately but are still experiencing distress or internal struggles

Question 7

Describe the statistical infrequency definition of abnormality

Answer 7

Looks at behaviour that is rare or statistically uncommon in a population